Graham Coupland with his pet dog Samuel in front of the exploded fireplace at his Wolvey home

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A father and his daughter were caught in an horrific “bomb-like” blast as they sat waiting for their Christmas dinner to cook.

The explosion, from a disused fireplace boiler, hit Graham and Joanne Coupland at full force, with debris flying across the living room and through the front window.

The pair escaped being seriously injured, but 24-year-old Joanne still needed to be kept in hospital after suffering a broken ankle, a shattered heel, badly bruised toes and abrasions all over her head and body.

Dad Graham, who will be 62 in February, got burn marks on his arm and back.

“We were both left in a state of shock,” said Mr Coupland. “It all happened so suddenly. We were just quietly sitting on the settee, in front of the fire with my dog Samuel, when there was this massive explosion, like a bomb going off.

"The cast-iron grate hit Joanne and we were showered with pieces of wood and glass.”

Mr Coupland has lived on his own in the council-owned bungalow in Piper’s End, Wolvey, for three years. He said: “About 12 months ago the council installed central heating and fitted a new electric boiler, leaving the old one in place at the back of the fireplace.

“Because my daughter was coming to cook my Christmas dinner, I thought it would be nice to have an open fire – and it looks like the heat from that caused the old boiler to explode.

“I don’t know whether it was due to the old boiler being sealed, without venting, and Rugby Borough Council will be carrying out an investigation, especially in view of the fact that other properties have had similar work done.”

Mr Coupland’s daughter, who works as a catering manageress in Hinckley, is now recovering in University Hospital Coventry while he has to clear up the mess in his bungalow.

“The living room has been completely wrecked and we had our Christmas Day ruined but it could have been a whole lot worse. Joanne came off worse and might not be able to return to work for several weeks.

“Council engineers have visited my home to check there has been no structural damage and also offered to find me temporary accomodation in Rugby. But I have two horses to look after in nearby Burton Hastings, as well as my dog, so I have decided to stay put,” added Mr Coupland, who is unemployed.